What 382.501A-SSF means in plain language
This violation occurs when you operate a commercial motor vehicle while you have been recorded or documented as prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions. Safety-sensitive functions include driving, pre-trip inspections, maintenance work, and other duties directly tied to vehicle operation and cargo safety.
If a previous test result—such as a drug screening or alcohol test—has disqualified you from performing these functions, or if your employer has documented that you cannot safely perform them, you cannot legally operate a CMV until that prohibition is lifted. Operating in violation of that prohibition is a federal safety violation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across 13 million roadside inspections, our database contains 223 all-time citations for 382.501A-SSF. In the last 90 days, we recorded zero citations; in the last 12 months, we recorded zero citations. This code ranks #1188 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by total citation volume.
What makes this code especially serious is its out-of-service rate: 97.3% of drivers cited for this violation were placed out of service. This is vastly higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. Of the 223 all-time citations in our records, 217 resulted in immediate out-of-service placement. Only 6 drivers were cited without being taken out of service. This enforcement pattern reflects the critical safety nature of this violation.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that citations for 382.501A-SSF are geographically distributed across the nation but remain uncommon relative to other violations. The top carriers cited in our records include Clear Advantage Transportation Ltd and Alejandro Marroquin Elizondo, each with 2 citations. Our data shows fleets and owner-operators across diverse regions and fleet sizes have been cited, though the total volume remains low.
The vehicle makes most frequently cited include Freightliner (22 citations), Freightliner (20 citations), and Kenworth (15 citations)—primarily heavy-duty tractor makes, which is consistent with long-haul and regional operations where substance-related compliance is most heavily monitored.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
This code sits within the Controlled Substances/Alcohol category alongside several high-enforcement peer codes. For context: Use of drugs (392.4A-DOSP) has 3,947 citations with a 95.9% OOS rate; Use of drugs (392.4(a)) has 3,919 citations with a 96.9% OOS rate. Another closely related code, Use of drugs (392.4A-DOSU), has 1,648 citations with a 98.5% OOS rate.
While 382.501A-SSF is cited far less frequently than these general drug-use violations, its 97.3% OOS rate aligns with the severity of the substance-abuse violation category. Intoxicating-beverage codes (392.5(a)(3)) show 98.2% OOS rates across 1,301 citations. The consistency in OOS rates across this category underscores that any violation tied to impairment or prohibited substance involvement triggers nearly automatic removal from service.
How to avoid it
-
Know your medical certification and testing status. If you have failed a drug or alcohol test, tested positive, or been placed in a return-to-duty program, do not operate a CMV until your employer and/or the FMCSA-certified substance-abuse professional has cleared you. Verify your status in writing before attempting to drive.
-
Never falsify or ignore a documented prohibition. If your employer has issued a documented prohibition against your performing safety-sensitive functions, honor it completely. Attempting to drive in violation of that prohibition is a federal violation and will result in immediate out-of-service placement and potential disqualification.
-
Maintain clear communication with your fleet's safety and compliance team. If you undergo testing or receive any notice about restrictions on your duties, notify your safety manager immediately. Do not assume a restriction has been lifted without explicit written confirmation.
-
Attend required substance-abuse programs. If you have tested positive or failed a screening, completing a DOT-recognized substance-abuse professional evaluation and treatment program is essential to your return to driving. Do not attempt to drive until that program is complete and your employer has reinstated you.
-
Understand your employer's substance-abuse policy. Before your first shift, request a copy of your carrier's drug and alcohol policy. Understand what actions will trigger testing, what a positive result means, and what steps you must take if prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions.
-
Request a supervisor review if you believe a prohibition is in error. If you believe you have been incorrectly documented as prohibited from safety-sensitive functions, request a formal review from your employer's compliance or safety department. Do not drive while the dispute is pending.